You have a secret.

Okay, it's an open, giant secret.

But no one ever talks about it.

Sometimes it makes you feel ashamed.

You know you should be proud

but people constantly make you feel small.

So you walk taller.

You hold your chin up higher

even when it feels like your neck might break under the strain.

And still, you can hear the whispers.

People mock you behind your back.

You work hard to be professional, fashionable.

You create such a formidable persona

so people wouldn't even dare talk to you about your secret.

Then you meet someone.

He has the same secret as you!

But that's not why you like him.

He's kind and passionate.

He helps you at work.

He makes you feel wanted in a way no one ever has.

One romantic evening

the two of you go on a walk.

You're excited

You don't get a lot of alone time with him

and this feels like your chance to be like everyone else.

You think maybe he'll kiss you.

Instead, all he wants to do is talk about your secret.

Because he has the same secret

And you get it, but seriously?

Is it too much to ask that, at this moment, it not be about that?

Guys like him are all the same!

You realize again it's the only reason they want to talk to you.

So, you're mean.

You're cold.

In fact, you deny that you even have the same secret.

And in denying yours, you make him feel alone in his.

You've shut down and walked away

and he feels rejected.

You realize the pain you felt your whole life

is exactly what you've made him feel.

And maybe that's the greatest pain of all.

You would be Madame Maxime

in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

When have you let your hurt hurt someone else?

For more conversations like this

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